The focus of our reflection today is the Eucharist. Many Catholics nowadays do not believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Hence, our reflection aims to respond to this misconception and enable us to go deeper in our understanding of this wonderful, eternal gift. The Eucharist comes from the Greek word, eucharistein meaning “to give thanks” or “be thankful” or “grateful”.
We are grateful because by the Blood of Jesus, the Son of God, we are healed and redeemed. He heals our woundedness, repairs our brokenness and restores the life of God within us.
It is in the celebration of the Holy Mass that the eternal value of Christ’s efficacious sacrifice is made present. The Eucharist therefore, is the source and summit of the Christian life. It contains the Source and Origin of all grace, the Second Divine Person of the Holy Trinity, Jesus Christ. The bread and wine that we offer during the Holy Mass become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit and the instrumentality of the priest. The whole Christ is truly present that is, His body, blood, soul, and divinity. Under the appearances of bread and wine, the glorified Christ is present. During the Last Supper, Jesus instituted the sacrament of the Eucharist to perpetuate the sacrifice of the Cross throughout the ages and to entrust to the Church a memorial of His death and resurrection. It is our spiritual nourishment.
